Commission to accept public input on recommended ConnectOregon projects

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ODOT News

July 9, 2014

For more information: Dave Thompson, ODOT Public Affairs, (503) 986-3455

SALEM – The Oregon Transportation Commission will hold a public hearing during its regular meeting on July 17 in Salem to receive public testimony regarding ConnectOregon V project funding recommendations. The meeting will be held at the Salem Convention Center, 200 Commercial St. SE, Salem, Oregon 97301 and the public input period will begin at 1:35 p.m. Written testimony can be submitted through July 25 to: ConnectOregon@odot.state.or.us or via hard copy to: ODOT, Attn: Chris Cummings, 555 13 St. NE, Salem, Oregon 97301.

A final review committee forwarded a prioritized list of recommendations to the OTC in June; the applications were also reviewed and prioritized earlier by modal committees and regional/geographic committees. The commission will make a final decision regarding project funding at its August 21-22 meeting in Ontario, Oregon. OTC agendas are available online at http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/comm/Pages/otc_main.aspx.

ConnectOregon is a lottery-bond-based initiative first approved by the 2005 Oregon Legislature to improve transportation connections by investing in in air, rail, marine/ports and transit infrastructure. The 2013 Oregon Legislature approved a fifth authorization of $42 million in for ConnectOregon; the latest legislation includes bicycle/pedestrian projects as also eligible for funding. To date, more than 203 multimodal projects have been approved for $382 million in ConnectOregon funding, representing, along with matching funds, approximately $834 million for non-highway transportation improvements supporting economic development around the state.